Weighing less than 350
GmS with Vital Signs "Live Birth"
Definition: Any baby at any gestational age who is born and has
a heartbeat at one minute of age and/or tries to take a breath;
this is a live birth.
Special thanks to Linda Schill, RN, Director of RTS Services,
TSMC
You are to:
- Apgar score baby
- Document the time vital signs cease - MD to pronounce
- Weight (measurements can wait IE, length, etc.)
- Provide dry linen and warmth
- Encourage and allow bonding with parents, family. If refused,
staff or RTS Counselor to observe and even hold or rock the baby.
This is for comfort while the baby is alive.
- The baby must be admitted and a pediatrician or neonatologist
assigned.
- A Certificate of Live Birth to be completed by parents. Paternity
packet if unmarried. Do not do fetal death.
- A Death Certificate is generated by the funeral home, not the
hospital.
- If you feel the baby is suffering, it is appropriate to call
for the M.D. Even a very tiny, 17-18 week old can live for many
hours. It is the 20-23 week baby who may present issues of viability.
- Offer and assist with obtaining clergy for baptism, blessing,
last rites, etc.
- Take pictures of parents holding the baby. Do this non posed
and presumptively. It will mean so much to them later.
- Bathe and dress the baby as appropriate. If possible, include
parents by asking them to assist. Do not assume they don't want
to. Many are too afraid to ask or are in too much distress to
think clearly. Be an advocate for them as parents.
- Bring a camera into patients' room. Offer pictures with their
baby.
- Do hand and foot prints after pictures. Black hands and feet
are not acceptable and immature or sloughing skin doesn't tolerate
washing well.
- Consider waiting until the baby has expired to do hand prints
as this will allow more time for parents to bond with their baby.
- In later gestations, whenever possible, we make every attempt
to take photos when the baby is living, with eyes open. Remember,
you are taking the ONLY pictures these parents will have of this
child. Take many and be creative. Even if parents refuse, make
every attempt to take them (clinical) anyway; they will probably
change their minds.
- Make sure patient has referral to support groups available
to them prior to release.
|
